Spring 2011 Courtyard Series

Ben Kronberg’s star is certainly on the rise. Ben’s unique style blends clever one-liners and witty observations with catchy songs that he performs while playing instruments like the guitar, Casio keyboard, and loop pedal. Much of his material has been inspired by girlfriends, who are now incidentally ex-girlfriends. Since his breakout performance in Aspen, Ben has performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Last Call with Carson Daly.” Comedy Central recently named Ben as one of the “Comics to Watch” in 2010. Ben has also appeared twice on ABC’s hit game show “Wipeout,” one time as a normal contestant, and most recently in the All-Star Episode. He lost both times, but would still go back for a third helping of pain if asked.

Mike E. Winfield was born in Baltimore, Maryland where he learned the ropes before moving west to Sacramento. Since then he has been a semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and was just a finalist in the Great American Comedy Festival, which honors Johnny Carson. He brought his “big-ass teeth,” Afro, and winning personality to “The Late Show with David Letterman,” Showtime’s “Comics Without Borders,” Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham,” and B.E.T’s “Comicview.” Mike E. Winfield is headed your way!

A comedian that brings the world’s design flaws into the spotlight, Dan’s attitude has been described as “too worried about too little, and not smart enough to do anything about it.” Dan Mengini has appeared in numerous national television spots and tours comedy clubs across the nation. He’s also shared the stage with comedy giants such as Dave Attell, Lewis Black and many more. Dan currently stars as one of the main characters in The Rising Sun on Adult Swim, and was a lead in the internet hit comedy show, Superdeluxe-TBS’ “Fark TV.”

Prashanth Venkataramanujam is a comedian originally from Chicago who began his career at the age of 17. After quickly rising through the ranks, he went on to perform at world-renowned comedy clubs such as Zanies and The Improv all before he was old enough to be admitted as a patron. In 2008, Prashanth was a semi-finalist in the Rooftop College Comedy Competition and graduated from the acclaimed Stella Adler Acting Studio in New York. His work on the road has afforded him the privilege of working with comedians that include the late Robert Schimmel, Mark Curry, Rocky LaPorte, Joe Piscopo and Donnell Rawlings from the Chappelle Show. In June of 2010 he beat out 80 comics to win the opening competition at the Great American Comedy Festival in Nebraska.